CHP honors two local men for promoting traffic safety

The California Highway Patrol recently recognized two local businessmen for their participation in working to help keep the community safe.

Brian Papstein, owner of KINS 106.3 FM and Talk Shop radio show host, said he was shocked when he received the award.

"It was a nice honor and great fun," Papstein said. "I've been doing daily interviews with CHP, Eureka Police, the Sheriff's office and other people like that, for about 33 years now and it's focused on the goofballs that text or roll through stop signs, and whatnot in school zones."

Papstein was in the middle of a show with Garberville CHP Commander Brett Fabbri when CHP Humboldt Area Commander Captain Adam Jager presented him with the award.

"We want to give you something in recognition for all you do, a certificate of commendation for promoting traffic safety," Jager said during the show.

Papstein said it was a cool honor that he wasn't expecting and that he has received other awards from law enforcement and the fire department in the past, but that doesn't make this one any less special.

"These awards are confirmation that there's someone out there listening," he said.

The other honoree was insurance agent Paul Nicholson, who said he was also shocked and overwhelmed when he received the award.

"I was wrapping up a presentation at Arcata school with Matt Harvey when he presented me with the award," said Nicholson, who is an agent for State Farm. "I didn't know it was coming and it was a unique day because it was the day after my son's birthday, and he's the reason all this started."